chapter 1: The reason

"Matt!!" Kira shouted while running toward me. She was holding her colorful notebook with love quotes written in it.

"Love is staying honest, loyal, and present even when it’s not easy."

It was obvious she needed something again.

"Can you answer this for me? The deadline's later," she said, grabbing my hand and almost pressing the notebook to my face.

She leaned in close, giving a small smile. Typical Kira move, using her charm to get what she wants.

I sighed. "Fine," I replied, taking the notebook from her. But I couldn’t help but notice what she did.

"But why do you have to bring it so close? It’s so small."

She furrowed her brows. "Huh?"

I smiled awkwardly. "Nothing. I just said you look good today."

She immediately turned around, seemingly satisfied with my answer of 'yes.' She didn’t say anything else. I was used to it.

This is how they always act to me when they need something, leave when they get it. But the worst part is, it's always a deadline I’m forced to answer.

By the way, I’m Mathias Bernabe Delos Santos. Nerd, loner, invisible. That’s how they see me. But what they don’t know...

I’m also Kaizer Montoya Blake, the sole heir to Montoya Corporation, a multi-billion peso conglomerate owned by my father’s family.

Double life.

Double identity. And one big secret.

I don’t want this luxurious life I didn’t choose. I don’t want the arranged marriage set for me since childhood, to a woman I don’t even know. A woman who, based on what I’ve heard, is nothing but a snob and lazy.

She’s the kind of woman who’s lazy, the type who doesn’t know how to cook, clean, do laundry, and above all, wash the dishes she used.

So what? If she marries me, is she going to make me the maid? Ugh.

And honestly, all I want is a quiet life. Math problems, coffee, and peace of mind.

But in a world full of lies, sometimes silence is just another lie.

There were times when I almost got caught by the guards, but luckily, I managed to hide behind the parked cars in the mall’s parking lot while they were inside.

I’m staying in a rented house, good for two, so I rented it immediately. After all, it was the only house available for rent in this area. I can’t afford to stay at a hotel because, well, I’m hiding. Plus, the hotels in this town are owned by my parents, so I can’t stay there.

I can’t leave either because they’ll know where I’m going. They even have access to the security at the transport stations. If you’re wondering why I don’t just take the bus, well, it’s because of trauma. That’s where my mom died...

At that time, we were running away because there were people trying to kill us, and we didn’t know we were heading straight into danger.

I miss my mom so much... I hate that gold-digger stepmom my dad married. She’s a b1tch and a gold digger as hell.

There was a time she tried to seduce me, but she's not my type. I don't like women who are older than me.

#tksgm1

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